As the Olympic flame burns, it gives human race a flicker of hope

BLAST FROM THE PAST: The lighting of the Olympic flame in Lustgarten at the 1936 Berlin Games. The next two editions of the Summer Games in 1940 and 1944 had to be cancelled because of World War II. - AP file

It was but inevitable. As planet earth grapples with a pandemic of epic proportions, it clearly was a no-brainer that the Olympics, dubbed 'The Greatest Show on Earth,' shouldn't take place.
This summer's Olympics to be held in the Japanese capital of Tokyo became the latest sporting extravaganza to be gobbled up by Covid-19.
After a bout of procrastinating, as well as pressure from various countries, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), on Tuesday, finally decided to postpone the showpiece to next year.
With 122 days to go for the event, due to begin on July 24, the IOC president Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke on the phone before coming to an agreement.
It goes without saying that it was the right call considering the circumstances. Countries are in lockdowns, travel restrictions are in place and in the current climate, the well-being of not just the people, but mainly that of the athletes is paramount.
The new dates are yet to be announced but this marks the first time in the modern Games' 124-year history that the Olympics has been delayed.
But there have been cancellations of the Olympics because of wars and the Games has also faced political boycotts and killings previously but this perhaps, is unprecedented as it has occurred during peace time.
The 1916 Games in Berlin was cancelled because of World War I, while the editions in 1940 in Tokyo/Helsinki and the 1944 Olympics in London were called off because of World War II.
The height of the Cold War saw the Moscow Games in 1980 and the 1984 Games in Los Angeles being boycotted by a number of countries. In between that, the 1972 edition in Munich witnessed a hostage crisis and killings, which came to be known as the 'Munich Massacre.'
Berlin had been selected as the host city for the 1916 Olympics during the 14th IOC Session in Stockholm in July 1912. The German city had overcome bids from Alexandria, Amsterdam, Brussels, Budapest and Cleveland.
But in the midst of World War I, which broke out in 1914, the Games were eventually cancelled.
The 1940 Games was initially scheduled to be held in Tokyo but was later shifted to Helsinki in Finland because Japan was at war with China since 1937.
But the Games didn't see the light of day in Helsinki as World War II broke out. Helsinki eventually hosted the 1952 Olympics and Tokyo the 1964 Games.
London was to host the 1944 Olympics after they won the bid over Rome, Detroit, Lausanne, Athens, Budapest, Helsinki and Montreal at the 38th IOC Session in London in July 1939.
But World War II broke out just three months after that decision and the Games fell victim again. London later went on to host the 1948 Games and Germany and Japan were not invited.
There is an interesting story during the World War where Polish Prisoners of War (POWs) were given permission by the Germans to hold a POW Olympics. It was said that the prisoners made an Olympic Flag with a bed sheet.
The current situation that the world finds itself in nothing short of a war. It is a war against the human race and safety is the priority as we fight this together.
Next year's Games will still be called Tokyo 2020 and the Olympic Flame will remain in the Japanese capital. Bach reckoned that the Flame will be the light at the end of the tunnel.
Let's keep the fire burning in hope.
james@khaleejtimes.com